Own or drive this car?

270 S 5dr

Tony
Date:
02/07/2012

Overall verdict

3
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

2
out of 5 stars

Running costs

3
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

2
out of 5 stars

Average MPG

32

My car

I've owned a 2005 Rexton 2.7 diesel for coming up for a year. In many ways driving it is like going back 20 years to the days of Vauxhall Fronteras or Nissan Terranos in terms of handling (or rather lack of), ride comfort, and noise levels. It doesn't remotely feel like or drive like a modern SUV in other words. Servicing takes some thought too, mainly as independents don't seem to know the vehicle and struggle to diagnose it, so I've had to use the main dealer more than I'd like hence servicing costs haven't been cheap. On the other hand, I bought the Rexton mainly to tow our caravan and boats, and this it does well. There is plenty of space (I think it's probably bigger inside than a Sorento or M Class - the boot really is huge), and if you're prepared to drive around the handling limitations of a big old fashioned 4x4 it makes a great workhorse. However, the real upside of the Rexton is the sheer amount of metal for the money. Mine was a 6 year old reasonably tidy example with under 40,000 miles on the clock, and it cost under £5k. Anything remotely comparable as a tow car would have cost 2 or 3 times as much. In terms of running costs, it's doing around 30 to 35mpg, which for the size of the thing isn't bad either. So overall I'd give the Rexton a qualified yes as a used buy.

II 270 SX 7 seat 5dr

Ralph duPreez
,
New South Wales
.
Date:
14/11/2008

Overall verdict

4
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

3
out of 5 stars

Running costs

4
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

3
out of 5 stars

Average MPG

30

My car

I own a 2007 series 2 270XDI Auto Great economy, quiet at cruising speed, however this vehicle is let down by poor suspension, front and rear suspension don't "talk" hence and uncomfortable ride on Australias 3rd grade highways. The other disadvantage is the lack of aftermarket equipment and some poor quality fitments, e.g. the fake dash, and half leather wrapped steering wheel. The slightly underpowered engine with only 340nm can be remedied by fitting a chip to increase torque.

If the suspension and the power issue can be sorted...It would be fantastic. Big plus is the reasonable service cost todate..ave A$140.00 so far no reliability issues and none are expected.
By the way, I did 18 months research before I settled on a Rexton. So far I am happy with the choice.

270 SPR 5dr

James Colroy
Date:
12/11/2008

Overall verdict

5
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

4
out of 5 stars

Running costs

4
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

5
out of 5 stars

My car

I have just taken delivery of a new SsangYong Rexton range topping SPR. This car is unbelievable value for money when you compare it against the competition.
It is a well built and quality bit of kit, I live on a farm and needed a replacement for my ageing Trooper. The Rexton fitted the bill perfectly with a powerful engine, nice interior (as good as the ML) , a a good 4 wheel drive system.
My neigbours were really suprised by my choice but since seeing the car they are in agreement it really is great value for money.
SsangYong seems to be one of those hidden gems, if you are looking for a great 4x4 at a great price I suggest you have a look at one.

II 270 SX Auto 5dr

Stuart Tidman
,
Warwickshire
.
Date:
24/04/2008

Overall verdict

3
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

2
out of 5 stars

Running costs

2
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

3
out of 5 stars

My car

Basically a re-hash of the original Mercedes Benz M-Class. The Rexton II uses the Merc engine and auto box, which feel competent but not spectacular. The ride is good, with such a large vehicle demonstrating the holy grail of big 4x4's - next to no body roll when cornering hard. For the £22k price tag, you do get a impressive amount of kit - leather seats, electric sunroof and windows, front and side air bags, semi-automatic gearbox, tinted windows, electric front seats, the list goes on and on. However (isn't there always!), the quality level of all this kit throughout the car is not uniform. Additionally, the steering doesn't inspire much confidence due to it's heavily power assisted nature. At times I began to wonder if the wheel in my hands was attached to the front wheels on the road. Don't get me wrong, the Rexton is far from the worst car in the world, it's just it's going to suffer severe badge imaging due to it's manufacturer - Ssangyong, in much the same way Lada and Skoda were ridiculed and derided by the media and public alike in the late seventies and early eighties.